Many homeowners experience damage to their roof when high winds occur during storms. Sometimes it’s minor, and sometimes it’s major.

Insurance companies pay for wind damage in certain situations, but not in every situation. Depending on insurers standards, the adjuster determines IF enough damage has occurred to justify replacing the roof.

First, you need to know what is determined as wind damage. Tree damage is obvious. Missing shingles are obvious. Bent/creased shingles are not easily recognizable unless you climb on the roof to inpect the damage.

Why would an insurance company pay for a roof replacement for damaged shingles? Because a leaking roof causes more damage, and if interior damage occurs…the cost of the claim increases…especially if mold remediation/prevention is needed.

Understand, however, insurance companies aren’t going to pay to replace your roof “just because you need a new roof”. Insurance is not a roof replacement payment plan although many treat it this way.

If you have wind damage, leaks, etc., we recommend having your roof inspected to determine corrective action. It may just be a repair, it may be worn out elements of your roof, i.e pipe boots, sealant around vents, nail pops, etc. If the damage is significant, a claim may be warranted. If the damage is minor, a repair may be all you need. Either way, if shingles are damaged…a leak is coming sooner or later.

It’s not necessarily a claim worthy event “just because your neighbor got a new roof”. We see this often. Frustrated homeowners because they didn’t get a new roof paid for after filing a claim. Unfortunately, a claim goes on your record whether you get approved or denied. This is just an opinion, but if you get too many claims on file…you may get dropped by your insurer. Honestly, many “roof salesmen” don’t worry about this. They just want to “hopefully” get you a new roof.

At Home Asset Protection Services, or HAPS for short…we specialize in roof repairs. We can fix anything on your roof. Our roof repair technician Richard has been repairing leaks for 25+ years…and believe this….there is a right way and a wrong way to repair a roof. If we see significant damage, we’ll suggest filing a claim as an option….but we’ll also give you a price for a repair. This allows you the opportunity to make your own decision without pressure or false hope.

If you have concerns about your roof, call us at 404-933-6610 to discuss your issues. We mostly service Gwinnett County including Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Dacula, Norcross, Duluth, Lawrenceville, and surrounding cities including Duwoody,, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Sandy Springs, and Doraville.

We’re not storm chasers. We’re a roofing company with a proven track record of quality work, honest assessments, and fair pricing. Our motto is to “do it right the first time’, and you have no idea how important this is.

If you have already been approved for a wind damage roof claim, we’ll be happy to assist you with the process. The paperwork (adjuster summary) is hard to understand, and we will guide you through the process by educating you on the claim paperwork, making sure you have been properly compensated for replacement costs, and filing paperwork with insurance company to get back your recoverable depreciation. So many don’t understand this. IF you do the work, you generally get a final check for the depreciation which is withheld from initial claim check. In other words, everything is paid for but your deductible.

As you most likely know, several states received significant damage from the storm which pounded the Southeast on September 11th. Our recovery team at Home Asset Protection Services, LLC or HapsAtlanta.com has been working hard to assist homeowners who received damage to their homes from the storm.

We’ve been removing trees from roofs, tarping roofs, assisting homeowners with filing claims, and repairing roofs for homeowners who have minor damage.

Due to the large area of damage, we are trying to concentrate in the Gwinnett, North Fulton, and Hall County areas to free up as much time as possible to help homeowners with urgent need to get their homes repaired.

If you need to file a claim, file it now! There is a shortage of adjusters due to the damage in Houston and Florida coast. We’re seeing adjuster response times moved out from 24-48 hrs to 5 days, and that’s just for setting the appointment.

If you hav

As a local roofer, we’re focused on our local homeowners, and we will be around years from now when all the storm chasers are gone. Call us at 404-933-6610 is you need help.

Home Asset Protection Services, or HAPSatlanta is a full service residential roofing contractor located in Suwanee, GA. We can be reached at 404-933-6610 to arrange for an assessment of your roof. We specialize in roof leak repairs, and this is approximately 75% of our roofing business. We also perform full roof replacements the right way, but we are not storm chasers. We are a local, reputable company with a great track record.

Our roof repair specialist Richard has over 25 years of leak repair experience, so he has just about seen it all. A large percentage of roof leaks are a result of lack of maintenance, and these leaks can be avoided before they happen to prevent you from dealing with wet drywall and insulation, damaged soffit and fascia, and mold.

We offer a roof tuneup package which we recommend for EVERY home every 3-5 years, depending on the age of the roof. Most homeowners don’t realize that a roof needs a tuneup just like a car needs a tuneup.

Here’s why.

Your shingles are designed to last between 20-40 years depending on the type. Basic 3 tab shingles generally carry a 20-25 year shingle warrant, and architectural shingles generally carry a lifetime warranty (40 yrs); but these warranties don’t cover the other elements on the roof.

If you already have a leak in the following areas, it’s likely that a roof tuneup would solve your problems. Bathrooms, Top of ceilings, Near HVAC vent, or most other areas other than chimneys, valleys, or areas where the roof runs into a wall.

Here are the items which “fail” after a few years, and you can see pictures at the bottom of this post.

Pipe Boots – You will have several of these on your roof. They are generally white pvc pipes which are designed to ventilate your drain pipes to eliminate bad smells. These pipes are covered by a plastic or lead “boot, and the inside part of the boot is rubber. This is designed to fit snugly around the pipe to prevent water intrusion in the hole in your roof. After a few years, the rubber seal dry rots and cracks. As a result, this is a common area for leaks.

HVAC Vents – The metal HVAC vent which comes out of your roof is sealed with roofing sealant, and hopefully the best brand on the market. After several years, the sealant wears out and cracks…creating an area for water to get into your home.

Turtle Vents – These metal or plastic “boxes” near the ridge (top) of your roof are installed to help ventilate your attic to remove heat and prevent shingles from overheating and blistering. Two issues we see with turtle vents are 1. Improper installation, and 2. Worn out sealant. Once again, the sealant cracks and creates and area for water intrustion.

Exposed nails – There are several areas where exposed nails can be found on your roof. On the ridge, around the vents, below shingle lines from mis nailing, and nail pops. When sealant wears off, the nails rust and create small areas for leaks to occur. It only takes a pin hole for water to get in.

Nail Pops – Quite often nails loossen over time, as they raise up, they poke a hole in the shingles…and this creates another area for water intrusion.

Missing or damaged shingles – While this goes without saying, missing shingles allow water to get under the shingles and travel down the roof until it finds a place to get in your attic…generally where plywood seams meet. Cracked shingles also allow water intrusion, and we often find cracked shingles on the ridge of the roof.

Toe Board Holes – Toe board holes are created when roofers, painters, etc nail 2×4’s to your roof so they can have good footing during the installation or repair. While our crews don’t use toe boards (We harness in from ridge), many doe. The nail holes in the shingles must be sealed after toe boards are removed. In many cases, this isn’t done, or if sealed..just like other elements…the sealant wears off an water intrusion occurs. Toe board holes are often a cause of leaks on interior walls near outside of home and soffit or fascia leaks.

Clogged Gutters – Homeowners generally know, clogged or improperly installed gutters are a major cause of damage to soffit, fascia, and exterior walls. While not a part of the tuneup, our technicians can clean gutters; and we can replace your gutters when needed as a separate service.

ALMOST ALL OF THESE LEAKS CAN BE REPAIRED OR PREVENTED BY A ROOF TUNEUP.

Here’s what HAPS does with a roof tuneup.

Inspect roof for areas of concern.

2. Replace up to 10 damaged or missing shingles.

Install new rain collars on all pipe boots, and reseal.

Seal exhaust vents with premium roof sealant.

Paint all vents with rust preventive paint.

Seal turtle vents with premium roof sealant.

Repair nail pops.

Seal exposed nails on all areas of roof.

Seal toeboard holes with premium roof sealant. (Note) if holes are large, we will replace the shingles.

Cleanup and removal of debris.

As you can see, a roof tuneup will address all of the common areas for roof failure which should be performed every 3-5 years. HAPS services Gwinnett County, Georgia and surrounding areas including Alpharetta, Buford, Cumming, Doraville, Duluth, Dacula, Flowery Branch, Hamilton Mill, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Oakwood, Peachtree Corners, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee.

We also perform more extensive roof repairs and full roof replacements. Extensive roof repairs generally involve improper flashing installation, and these leaks often occur at chimneys, in valleys, transitions from main roof to lower roof or porches, flat roofs, and areas where roof meets walls. We also remove old satellite dishes or brackets and repair the hole from the brackets and screws, a very common leak area.

If you have a leak or would like to prevent a future leak, call Home Asset Protection Services, LLC (HAPS) at 404-933-6610 to discuss your needs. We are a highly rated company, and we will give you an honest and informative assessment with cost effective results. Understand, we only do our roof repairs the right way, so if you want a cheap repair such as spread roofing tar over the leak…call a different company. If you go that route, keep our number on file because you may be calling us in the near future when your leaks resurface.

When you have issues on your roof, it is in your best interest to use a company who specializes in diagnosing leaks and PROPERLY repairing the issue. Our company Home Asset Protection Services, LLC (Yes, the name is too long so we go by Haps or HapsAtlanta) performs 80% of our work repairing leaks.

Why? We know what we’re doing. Our leak repair specialist (Richard) has been repairing leaks for 25 years, and he knows how to find the leaks and repair them the right way.

We’ve seen so much poor workmanship over the years, and it’s a shame because it gives the industry a bad name.

Quite often we can diagnose a roof leak just from talking to the homeowner or looking at the roof on satellite.

What are the most common leak issues.

Chimneys – If a chimney is not flashed properly, there’s a good chance you’re going to see a leak. Main problems we see are. Improper flashing, no chimney pan on back side of roof, siding cut back too far or too close to roof, no kickout flashing, no crickets, rotten cornerboards or siding, and rusted out chimney caps. Note to roofers…use step flashing on slopes…not j channel. Also, put a chimney pan on back side (rarely see this), don’t seal with caulk or tar (its only temporary), and make sure the siding and cornerboards are sealed properly. Also, on brick chimneys, please install counter flashing properly.

Pipes, Vents, etc. – People don’t realize that your roof needs a “tuneup’ every 3-5 years. The rubber boots that fit around your pipes dry rot over time. If you see a leak in a bathroom, good chance its a pipe boot. If leak is below HVAC exhaust…make sure it’s sealed properly and painted with rust preventive paint.

Valleys and dead valleys – Often cause by improper shingle installation, nails in valley, or lack of ice & water shield in valley.

Flat roofs – Too often we see shingles on a flat roof. That’s a no-no. Sideways rain can get under the shingles and cause leaks. With a flat roof you need modified bitumen or TOP to prevent standing water from entering your home.

Exposed nails and toe board holes – There are exposed nails all over roofs. The sealant wears off over time. These areas should be sealed with premium roof sealant every 3 to 5 years before the nails start rusting.

Gutter issues – overflowing gutters, debris, improper installation, and poor overhang just scratch the surface. Sometimes home design is the issue if the gutter can’t handle the amount of water that flows into certain areas.

These are just a few explanation, but they are vrey common issues which cause leaks. There is a proper way to repair, and there is a bandaid approach. Go the cheap route, and chances are you’ll be spending more in the near future. Do it right the first time. Don’t mess around with your roof. Too many bad things can happen (wet drywall, mold, constant leaks, etc_).

Please call us at 404-933-6610 to discuss your roof leaks, and we can help do it right the first time. Not only do we do it right, we show you pictures to help you understand what really needs to be seen. Go with someone you trust. Call Haps Atlanta today if you like in Berkeley Lake, Buford, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Sugar Hillor Suwanee. It’s worth it to get a professional opinion from someone who knows what they’re doing. Don’t take a chance. Do it right the first time.

Call George at 404-933-6610 to discuss your issues, and we’ll take care of you.

On July 6, 2016 a large squall line brought severe storms through Gwinnett County taking down trees in many areas including Berkeley Lake, Buford, Grayson, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee.

In addition, many roofs were damaged from high winds across the county.

Home Asset Protection Services, LLC (HAPS) is a local roofing company who has many years of experience dealing with roofing claims and the insurance claims process. While homeowners are familiar with the big hail storms in 2009 and 2011, many are not familiar with wind damage claims.

First and foremost, if you have tree damage on your home, call 404-933-6610 to have emergency tarps on your roof to stop further damage.

Next, If you are interested in potentially having your roof covered by your homeowners insurance, now is a good time to look into the possibility.

FYI, here is what is about to happen. Storm chasing roofing companies will come into town, hire a bunch of door to door salesmen familiar with the process, and start visiting your home to help you file a claim.

Herein lies the problem. Many of these companies are out of state. If you get your roof replaced by out of state companies…who are you going to call if you have a problem?

We have been in the Gwinnett area for several years, and over the past few years approximately 80% of our work has been roof leak repairs…often due to shoddy construction.

In many cases we advise homeowners with newer roofs to call on the contractor who warranties the work. Guess what? Company is out of business, and homeowner is stuck holding the bag.

We’re not saying all roofing companies are like this. There are many reputable roofing companies in the Metro Atlanta area; and the lack of storms over the past few years have weeded out some of the bad apples.

With that being said, we highly recommend you using a LOCAL company to assist you with your roofing claim who is honest, experienced in roofing and repairs, and experienced in the roofing claims process.

If you would like to have your roof inspected from storm damage, call HAPS at 404-933-6610. We will ask a few questions and determine if your home is in an area susceptible to roof damage.

Don’t delay. While only an opinion, the longer you wait…the less chance you have of getting your roof approved.

This is a long post, but with roof issues we want to educate homeowners on issues which occur on roofs. Most people don’t climb on roofs; so we want you to have a good understanding of roof issues so you can decide if your contractor knows what they are doing.

Home Asset Protection Services, LLC (HAPS) is located in Suwanee, GA, and we specialize in roof leak repair and full roof replacement in the Gwinnett County Georgia and surrounding areas. Our leak specialist has over 25 years experience diagnosing and repairing leaking roofs; and we’ve just about seen it all.

Unfortunately, over the past several years a lot of the roofs replaced in the Metro Atlanta area have been built incorrectly, especially in the flashing areas. Fortunately for us, we get a lot of work as a result. Many fly by night storm chaser companies rush into town during storm season, help homeowners get their roofs replaced through insurance claims, do the job, and then one of two things happen. They either leave the area to follow the latest storm in another city/state, or they go out of business. Trust us, we see it all the time. Homeowners are stuck holding the bag.

Many of these leaks can be prevented by a simple roof maintenance plan if addressed in a timely manner. After 3-5 years certain components of your roof need attention. We offer a service called a roof tuneup, and this service will prevent leaks and extend the life of your roof for years. Call us at 404-933-6610 to see if a roof tuneup is the best option for your home, and do it BEFORE the roof starts leaking.

What is a roof a roof tuneup?

Your roof has certain elements which deteriorate over time. A roof tuneup takes care of these issues, and this will prolong the life of your roof for another 3-5 years. Here are the things we do with a roof tuneup.

Repair or Replace Pipe Boots.

Seal Exhaust Vents.

Seal turtle vents, power vents, & dryer vents.

Paint All vents with rust preventive paint.

Repair Nail Pops.

Seal Toeboard holes.

Seal exposed nails.

Replace up to 10 missing or damaged shingles.

Clean minor debris off roof.

Inspect roof & flashing for major issues.

Explanations of the services listed are explained in detail below.

Repair Pipe Boots – Most bathrooms have vent pipes which are designed to remove the musty smell from the plumbing system. These exhaust type vents almost always go out of the roof. The pipes are covered with a rubber pipe boot to seal off the area from leaking. (See photo below). These boots have a thin rubber elastic area designed to fit snugly around the pipe. After 3-5 years the rubber dry rots and cracks; and many leaks occur in this area.

If you have a roof leak in your bathroom, chances are very high that your pipe boots are cracking. With a roof tuneup, we install new rain collars and seal the exposed nails where vents are nailed to roof. This adds around 3-5 more years of life for this area of the roof.

Seal Exhaust Vents – These are the metal vents which carry exhaust fumes from your HVAC unit. When a roof is installed, these vents must be sealed with high grade roof sealant around joints and nails. Over time the sealant wears off. Also, these vents rust over time. With a roof tuneup we reseal the vents with the highest grade of silicone roof sealant available in the market. We also paint the vents with rust preventive paint to extend the life of these elements.

Seal Turtle Vents, Power Vent, & Dryer Vents – Turtle vents are aluminum or plastic “boxes” found on the back of many roofs. These vents are used to ventilate the attic. This prevents heat buildup in attic which causes shingles to blister and increases heating and A/C bills. A blister is basically like a popped bubble on the shingles. Power vents are the big round fans found on many hip roofs, and dryer vents are vents which carry moist air out of the house from the clothes dryer. These items need resealing over time to prevent leaks.

Paint All Vents With Rust Preventive Paint – Over time your HVAC vent will rust. We paint the vents to stop/prevent the rust from destroying your exhaust vents. We also paint other vents on the roof to prevent rusting and to improve the look of the roof.

Repair Nail Pops & Toeboard Holes – Nail pops occur when nails on the roof loosen over time. When nails pop out they often cause indentations or holes in the shingle. A roof tuneup will take care of this issue. We nail down the loose nails and apply premium roof sealant to the affected area. Toeboard holes are actual holes in the shingles when the roofing crew nails boards to the roof to stand on when installing the roof. A good (and safe) roofing crew will rope & harness when installing the roof instead of using toeboards. With the roof tuneup we seal all toeboard holes on the roof to prevent leaks in these areas.

Seal Exposed Nails – All roofs have exposed nails on the ridge cap and bottom side of all the vents. While sealed during installation (we hope), the sealant wears off over time. When this occurs the nails rust, and eventually lead to bigger problems. With the roof tuneup we seal all exposed nails with premium roof sealant.

Replace Missing or Damaged Shingles – While obvious, we replace up to 10 shingles which are missing or damaged on your roof. Missing shingles could be a major issue which is described below; however, in many cases a few shingles fall off from loose nails, improper nailing, or even wind damage.

Clean Minor Debris Off Roof – Most often, this involves removing pine straw in the valleys. Pine straw will stop water flow during rain, and this can often cause leaks. It also causes algae to grow on the roof, and eventually leaks to leaks and rotten wood below the shingles.

MAJOR ROOF ISSUES

Below are major roof issues which involve much more extensive repair. These are the most common areas for leaks due to installation issues and/or rot over time.

Chimneys – Probably the biggest area for leaks we find are around chimneys. A lot depends on the type of chimney, and where the chimney is located. The main problem we find around chimneys is flashing related. Flashing is metal which redirects water away from the walls of the chimney so it can properly drain the the gutters (or edge of roof). The section on the roof above a chimney needs a cricket (framed & shingled diverter), j channel flashing, and a properly installed chimney pan. Water pounds this area, and if flashing is not installed correctly…you will have a leak. On the sides of the chimney step flashing or J-channel flashing is used to channel water down the roof. If installed improperly, the water will run under the shingles or behind the flashing causing water stains on your ceilings.

Additionally, on homes with wood or hardie plank siding, we often find leaks from rotten or broken siding, worn out sealant on joints, or rotten corner boards.

On homes with brick chimneys you not only need properly installed chimney pan & flashing, you also need counter flashing over the step flashing to prevent water from running down the chimney and behind the flashing. Properly flashing a brick chimney is a specialty, so if you have brick chimney leaks…make sure the contractor knows what they are doing.

Dead Valleys – Dead valleys is a term to describe sections of roof that run into a wall. Here the rain water slams against the wall, and often runs up over the flashing and down the walls into your home. These are delicate areas, and extensive repair needs to be done to properly repair these areas. Inspection of the area needs to be done to determine best course of action, but basically the repair needs to run up the wall so water can get behind the flashing.

Valley Repairs – Roof valleys are installed one of two ways. A weave pattern is when shingles from intersecting roof sections are woven together; and a French cut pattern where shingles are cut in a straight line down the valley. Obviously water runs down the valleys. If the water gets under the shingles, you have a problem. Valleys should have metal flashing or ice & water shield installed to keep any leakage from getting to your ceilings. We install ice & water shield on an roofs we build. It’s not cheap, and many roofing contractors do not use this extra product to save money. If you have a valley leak, we will most likely need to tear out the valley, install ice & water shield, replace rotten decking, and re-shingle the entire valley.

Improper Nailing – We see this quite often. The biggest issue we see is nail gun pressure issues. If the roofing crew sets the nail gun pressure too high, the nails often go through the shingle too far. As a result, the shingles eventually fall off. If you see entire shingles fall off your roof, chances are the nails were installed improperly. This is actually a big problem. We repair up to 10 missing shingles with a roof tuneup; but if shingles were nailed too hard…the problem will continue. We can repair the shingles which have fallen off, but we may have to come back over the years as the shingles fall off. It’s cheaper than replacing the entrie roof, but eventually your roof will need to be replaced. We advise making the repairs until shingles have lived their life; and then replacing the roof with a company who knows what they are doing.

Gutter area leaks – We often find leaks due to gutter issues. Gutters full of debris cause water to go behind the gutter and down the wall into your home. This causes interior leaks as well as soffit & fascia damage on the exterior of your home. You may want to consider installing gutter guards to keep debris from building up in your gutters.

We also see loose gutters, shingles not hanging over edge of roof enough, and gaps between the plywood decking and fascia. This is also the area of the roof where squirrels or other rodents enter your home. We can diagnose the issue and offer a solution to the problem.

Flat Roofs – If a roof is less than a four pitch, it should be considered a flat roof. Four pitch means the roof rises 4″ in height per foot of roof. Water pools on flat roofs, so a special type of roofing is needed to prevent leaks. We get a lot of work from homeowners who have shingles installed on low slope roofs. Think of it this way. If sideways rain occurs, the water is going under the shingles. There are many types of low slope and flat roof components, and please consult a qualified professional when dealing with these areas of your home.

And finally, the big one. Your roof has lived it’s life. It is what it is. If your shingles have lived their functional life, you need to replace your roof. An inspection will determine if roof needs replacement. Signals incluce major granule loss, brittle shingles, and major wear and tear.

Okay, we had the first storm of the season where hail damage occurred on the Northern side of Atlanta. If you live in a line from Marietta to Roswell to Johns Creek to Suwanee and surrounding areas you probably had hail fall near your home.

You may or may not have damage. If you’ve lived in the area for 5 years you’ve probably been through this before. Either you chose not to pursue or you were denied on your claim. Call us at 404-933-6610 if you suspect your home sustained storm damage and we’ll be honest in explaining the process and evaluating your situation..

HERE come the STORMCHASERS!

We’ve been doing this awhile. When a hailstorm hits a town the companies ramp up the sales teams and the out of state companies move into town to offer claims services to homeowners.

Only word of caution here is…they generally do a good job getting your roof approved & handling the paperwork. They offer special deals, they make sure the job gets done, and you get a new roof. Here lies the concern/Problem Many leave town after the claims die down and move on to the next “hot” area. What do you do if you have an issue with your roof 6 months or a year from now? Good luck with that.

We’ve been around this block before. During the past 2 years hail damage claims have been few and far between in the Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett County area. Many companies folded or moved on. We’e hung around and have been doing leak repairs and roof replacements for out of pocket customers to “weather the storm” of few claims. If a company specializes in leak repairs they generally know the roofing business…not just the claims business.

Unfortunately for homeowners alot of the repair work we’ve done over the past couple of years has been from poor installation from the big hail storms in 2009 and 2011 because the homeowner couldn’t reach the company who did the original work. Note: this is not all companies, but there are a good number who are no longer around.

We’ve got plenty of experience dealing with insurance claims, we’ve got plenty of experience helping you get fair compensation for your roof (if approved) and we’re local so you can find us in the future if 1. You by some chance have an issue or 2 If you need other home repair services.

You WILL have plenty of “door knockers” and phone calls about getting a “free” roof. Legally, you can potentially get a new roof paid for….but you do have to pay the deductible.

If it sounds too good to be true….trust your gut.

You are welcome to call HAPS at 404-933-6610 if you have any questions or if you would like for a LOCAL company who’s NEVER had a BBB complaint in 6 years.

In closing, these roof sales guys work hard canvasing neighborhoods so hopefully you will show them courtesy while kindly looking for an experienced local company with a proven track record.